With A New Album, For The First Time, Cody Simpson Feels ‘Free’

Australian heartthrob Cody Simpson promises that his new album will do more than solidify his place in the music industry—the process of writing Free has rendered him just that. Simpson, a diehard romantic also allowed himself to “get weird” on this album, work on his musicianship, and most of all, follow his creative instincts over commercial motivations. Simpson loves hats, but now he’s trying on a new one—he left Atlantic Records after a 5 year deal to self-release and run his own label, Coast House Records. Although he’s not one to compromise integrity, don’t worry just yet—in our interview, Cody told Galore mag, “Love is everything”. Spoken like a true heartthrob.

UK tour is cutting sick so far. Playing these gigs every night is an opportunity for me to improve as a player and musician. Highlight is being able to play this new music every day, and the lowlight would be the deprivation of sunshine and salt water!

How did you come up with the name “Free” for your upcoming album?

“Free” as a title is concise and powerful. It symbolizes my newfound creative and artistic freedom/independence. From my point of view this is my very first record. Coast House records has given me life to kick off my career as a raw creative.

What’s the hardest part of the songwriting process for you?

The songwriting process seems to flow pretty naturally in terms of lyrical content and melody when I’m sitting down. I just like to sit and get irie and weird and think about life. The tougher part is coming up with the groovy guitar riffs as I’m still improving as a player. I only started playing lead guitar last year.

A brave thing I’ve done recently would be leaving my major record deal behind for my creative freedom. I’m not looking for immediate commercial success or anything. I just wanna play gigs and make cool music and see where the road takes me.

When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

I cried on stage the other day, out of joy. With these new tunes from “Free” I’ve been writing a lot about life and nature—pure things. Sometimes I’ll close my eyes when playing the songs and it’ll just fill me up and I’ll feel like I’m floating or having some kind of psychedelic experience and my whole body tingles. The emotion brought a tear to my eye the other night.

Can you tell us a little bit about the experience of working with the featured artists on Free?

I’ve been a massive fan of Donavon Frankenreiter my whole life. Jack Johnson produced his first record and it was the soundtrack to my summers as a kid surfing and hanging with my friends. I was so psyched on remaking “It Don’t Matter” with him. G. Love is a mate of Cisco Adler’s, who produced Free. I’m a massive fan of G’s music and had the chance to write on this cool blues stomper called “Love Yourself” with him for the album. Honestly couldn’t have worked with cooler and more laid-back dudes. It’s so cool for me to be a part of a musical world that I’ve admired my entire life.

Pre-order Cody’s new album FreeHERE before it’s official release date July 10th.

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